Editor's note: USA TODAY Fantasy Sports has launched a new game, FantasyScore (www.fantasy score.com) as part of its redesigned online fantasy sports coverage. Here, Bonini offers his opinions on some of the reasons why the new game might appeal to traditional fantasy sports players.

It was Jan. 11, 2014.

The New England Patriots were hosting the Indianapolis Colts, and Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was coming off a 189-yard, two-TD performance in the regular-season finale. The Pats were coming off a bye during the wild-card weekend, and since many fantasy owners had forgotten about what Blount did in Week 17, he wasn't in too many fantasy lineups during the divisional round tilt.

He was in mine, and 166 yards and four touchdowns later I could thank Mr. Blount for almost single-handedly padding my wallet.

That was my introduction to the joys of playing daily fantasy sports.

Having barely even dabbled in daily fantasy, my intentions were to gain experience and keep the fantasy football season going, since all of my traditional leagues had ended.

I had no real expectations in setting a one-week fantasy football lineup; I had done it a hundred times already during the season.

But a nice reward awaited me at the end of a pleasure-filled day of watching playoff football, and that's when I realized daily fantasy sports no longer was the paramour to my traditional fantasy relationship.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) has taken the industry by storm. It takes the same fantasy experience that millions love and condenses it into instant gratification — just one of many rewarding qualities about the best innovation to hit fantasy sports since the Internet.

Who doesn't want to draft every week of the NFL season and potentially win some loot along the way?

Seventeen weeks of "new seasons" accent the advantages to the daily game. Statistics suggest this side of the industry is growing at such a rapid rate there is no way to accurately keep up with just how many players are actively participating from month to month.

It is an exciting time to be playing fantasy sports, especially of the daily variety.

As a fantasy prognosticator by trade, my commitment to improving the fantasy experience is a never-ending goal.

Why wouldn't we want more individuals playing our beloved game?

Traditional fantasy football is amazing and still has my heart, but daily fantasy football is where my passion can be found.

It had me thinking about what exactly is so alluring. How did it take me from being a dabbler to a devoted player, aside from winning money? My brain is a mysterious place, even for me, so I jotted down some thoughts.

Variety: Not having to start the same players every week is important. I have a short attention span and like to keep things fresh. A new roster every week, even if my opponents use the same players, keeps it lively.

Draft a team in a condensed, 15-minute version of how you normally pick players, or use a salary cap and bring math into the fold to elevate the challenge.

All players are fair game: Every fantasy owner has encountered a case of lineup envy when scouting their weekly opponent's starters, finding themselves saying, "Man, I wish Drew Brees was in my lineup. He kills it against the Falcons every year!" Don't like Brees' matchup this week? Let someone else deal with it and play Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Hardcore Jets fan? Geno Smith is even an option.

Rivalry: Having grown up in a family of four boys, competition was as common as living room forts made of haphazardly arranged furniture and cartoon-filled Saturday mornings, but it was even more often put on display through pickup sporting events in the backyard.

Today, I might not deflect a wrist shot or nail a fadeaway jumper as well as I used to, but finding a few minutes a week to draft a team and school my brothers in DFS has become a priority. The best part is the week-long ownership of indefensible, relentless smack talk.

Time commitment: Who has time to wait around for that one joker to show up 15 minutes late and then just barely get his pick before time expires? Select your team in a matter of minutes and get on with your life.

Are the in-laws in town for the holidays and you don't feel like catching flak from your better half for spending too much time playing fantasy (like there is such a thing)? Stay out of the doghouse and muster the restraint to not play that week.

Unlike forgetting to set your weekly lineup, missing a week of daily fantasy football is harmless.